About KIPP Chicago Schools

What is KIPP?

KIPP is a national network of free,
open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools with a track record
of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college
and in life. There are currently 162 KIPP schools in 20 states and the
District of Columbia serving more than 58,000 students.

KIPP Chicago Schools

Founded in 2003, KIPP
Chicago Schools began with a single class of fifth graders at KIPP Ascend Middle
School. Today, KIPP Chicago Schools consists of four schools, KIPP Ascend Middle School, KIPP
Ascend Primary, KIPP Bloom College Prep, and KIPP Create College Prep.
Together, they are serving over 1,200 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. We also support over 500 KIPP alumni
currently in high school or college through our KIPP Through College program.

Leadership Team

Executive Director | April Goble

Chief Academic Officer | Amy Pouba

Chief Operating Officer | Nicole Boardman

Director of Development | Rebecca Centioli

Director of KIPP Through College and New Site Development | Jia Li Pratt

KIPP Ascend Middle Principal | Lauren Henley

KIPP Ascend Primary Principal | Ellen Bhattacharyya

KIPP Bloom College Prep Principal | Ellen Sale

KIPP Create College Prep Principal | Kate Mazurek

Board of Directors

Ellen Sachs Alter

Suzanne Campion

Benjamin Chereskin

Mike Feinberg

April Goble

Jill Kidd

Don Weiss

Our Mission

The team at KIPP Chicago Schools is
guided by a simple, yet powerful mission: to create a network of schools that empower students with the character and academic skills
necessary to succeed in top-quality high schools and universities, to be happy in the competitive world, and to have a positive impact on their communities.

What is a charter school?

Charter schools operate
with fewer regulations than regular public schools in exchange for
accountability for their results. Like all public schools, charter schools must
be nonreligious and nondiscriminatory and are often focused on a particular
approach to educating students. Charter schools are seen as an alternative to
regular public schools and a way to provide choice and innovation (from
www.greatschools.net). Public charter schools may not charge tuition and may
not discriminate against any pupil on the basis of ethnicity, national origin,
gender, or disability.